Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-03-24

placement, respectively, being already
under construction, and the remaining
two, which are ofthe larger type, provided
for in the new bill There is also under
construction a pneumatic dynamite
gunooat, which is expected to have a
speed Of tweaty knots, and which will
throw from its three tubes projectlles
containing each 200 pounds of some pow.
erful high explosive. Still anothe ad-
dition authorized is a torpedo vessel, at
maximum cost of 100000, which is not
yet designed.
More impol tant than any of the vessels
yet named are the two armored cruisers
authorized at the first session of the late
congress. They will be of about 5000
tons displacement, heavily armored, with
powerful batteries, and having a speed
of at least sixteen knots. The
sum allowed for, these fine line-of
battle ships is $2,50O,00O each, and the
chief delay in their construction is
due to thenecessity OF providing suitable
armor. The new navy bill makes the
very handsome appropriation of $4,000
900 exclusively for armor and gun steel
for these two vessels and for the double
turret mentors. These monitors, in
turn, five in number, the Puritan, Amphi
trite, Monadnock, Terror. and Miantono
mob, must now at last be reckoned as
part of the effective navy, since while
their size and other peculiaritles will
make them of limited service they will
undoubtedly perform certain function
in coast defense. Such armor as the
Miantonomoh will carry no doubt can
easily be shot through by modern
guns of by 10 means the largest
calIbre, but she may prove of some SER
vice in harbor defense. For the compile
ton of these monitors, exclusive of
their batteries, the new act appropriates
$2.42O,00O, and for guns for these vessels
and the others already named it appro-
PIRATES $1,22S,3 1862.
The record is not ended yet, since the
new act provides 100000 toward float
ing batteries or rams for coast and har-
Dor defense, the final cost contemplated
being 100000 exclusive of armament.
It also makes $4,000 available for pur-
chasing and testing naval torpedoes, and
a further appropriation of $4,000 is
granted for buying the Stiletto for use as
torpedo boat. The appropriations
thus mentioned are exclusive of those
made to the Naval Ordnance Bureau
for its ordinary work in the
manufacture of cannon, though in this
latter the setting apart of $2o, 400 for
purchasing three steel cast, rough-bored,
six-inch, high-power rifle cannon, one of
Bessemer, one of open hearth aud one Of
crucibls steel, is worthy of special note.
As the matter sums up, then, we find
here an entirely new navy built accord
ing to modern methods, either in process
of construction or authorized, compris-
ing one steel dispatch boat, eight cruis-
ers, four gunboats, one dynamite gun
boat, two torpedo boats, two armored
line-of- battle ships, five monitors, and
probably two floating batteries Or steel
rams. These twenty-f steel and iron
vessels may fairly be considered the foun-
dation of our navy of the future.
PEOPLE WE'LL KNOWN.
Many Anderson is taking riding lessons
in London.
Preston Il. Leslie, governor of Mon
tana, used to be a ferryman.
Mr.. Justin Mccarthy says recent
lunch given to him in Boston was the best
he ever had.
One of Senator Vests eyes is in an i'm
panied condition, and he is under treat
ment in New York.
Uncle John Robinson, the oldest show
man in the world, is very i'll at Cincin-
natl. He is worth So, 100000.
John Chandler Harris has contributed
to the April Century a story entitled
"Little Compton," a Georgia war story.
Henry c. Bowen permitted Beecher's
name to appear in the New York indie
pendent last week for the first time in Is
years.
The wife of Senator elect Hiscock, of
New York, is said to be attractive and
petite" with an idea in the back of her
shapely head that craftsmanship began
when her husband was born.
Prepared for Anything in This Country.
Boston Courier.
The actors in Miss FOrtescue's oom-
pany are telling rather amusing story
about lady's sister, who is travelling with
the organization. When they were play
ing recently in Buffalo the younger Miss
Fortescue came on Wednesday morning
to see the manager, and expressed de-
sire to run down that afternoon with her
mother and visit Niagara Falls. The
manager was afraid some unforeseen de-
'Hy Ing hp 0SSu1 w P1oNodo Guo idCy
return in time for the evening perform
ance, and he said: SIT would be quite use
less for you to go to-day. The fall. are
not visible on Wednesdays"
Indeed? And why not?"
"They always turn the water off on
Wednesdays"
Glow extraordinary" responded Miss
Fortescue, and went away cutie satisfied
with the explanation.
The Quality Of Mercy.
Chicago Herald.
The little bride mule in the nigh lead
slipped on the icy pavement, and Mr..
Bergh's best man was on the spot. Take
that Rule and have him sharpsnsd be-
fore you drive him another foot"
He is sharpened.', said the driver,
"rougher than file, Look at them hind
shoes-corks on 'em that 'ud wedge a
hole through an ice-houss."
The officer lifted hoof to see, and
straightway looked over the top of a
four story building, Buzzingly ran the